Anyone who thought that "free land" meant "freedom" was mistaken 9at leat that's what I got out of this book.) By breaching the barriers that separate political, social, and literary history, Taylor reveals the interplay of frontier settlement and narrative-making in the early American Republic. Taylor doesn't make much of a new argument in this book, rather illustrates the myriad changes wrought by the Revolution by following the life of NY land speculator William Cooper. I love the literary analysis when Taylor attempts to connect his biography of William Cooper to James Fenimore Cooper's novel, "The Pioneers." While the book certainly covers Cooper from birth to death, and contains much biographical content, I thought this was closer to being considered American history. So must of the experience could have been more interesting, as it is in the other Taylor books I’ve read.An impressive accomplishment. 1. He writes, "By describing in detail a family and their place, I mean to reveal the interplay of frontier settlement, political struggles, and narrative making in the early American Republic" and how all three processes (economic, political, and cultural) occurred simultaneously and interdependently (8-9). He tried his best to assume a new position among the genteel elite. He has won a Pulitzer Prize and the Bancroft Prize for his work.Alan Shaw Taylor is a historian specializing in early American history. Wikipedia - William Cooper's Town Offers quick summary / overview and other basic information submitted by Wikipedia contributors who considers themselves "experts" in the topic at hand. While the book certainly covers Cooper from birth to death, and contains much biographical content, I thought this was closer to being considered American history. The depth of Taylor's research and his ability to navigate between real events and their fictions make this book rewarding.
Mr. Taylor talked about his book, William Cooper’s Town: Power and Persuasion on the Frontier of the Early American Republican.
Taylor is an exemplary historian, combining human empathy with context and erudition. I really noticed how dirty politics and patronage were back then--NY governor burned votes to get his way. William Cooper's son was none other than james Fennimore Cooper, author of Last of the Mohicans and Leathersotcking and Deerslayer. I just didn’t like the novel/biography aspects nor really understand the point until the final 30 or so pages. William Cooper, a relatively uneducated wheelwright, took advantage of the changes brought by the Revolution to reinvent himself as a great proprietor/landholder. More about politics than I was expecting.An intricate look at the founding and first few decades of Cooperstown, NY immediately after the Revolutionary War, Alan Taylor combines a biography of William Cooper with the history of the American frontier as it was then located in rural NY.
Not the fastest or easiest of history books to read, but if you are in the mood for a longer, more challengiAs history books (and I love history) go this one is pretty darn interesting. He tried his best to assume a new position among the genteel elite. WC tries to makes himself a gentleman in the fashion of the colonial order by educating himselfA beautiful book. A beautiful book. William Cooper, a relatively uneducated wheelwright, took advantage of the changes brought by the Revolution to reinvent himself as a great proprietor/landholder. Once in his new town, Cooper embodies Federalist paternalism as he expects the settlers to respect his preponderance of power and social superiority. 3012 votes. Taylor doesn't make much of a new argument in this book, rather illustrates the myriad changes wrought by the Revolution by following the life of NY land speculator William Cooper. All Right Reserved. August 27th 1996 Sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of William Cooper's Town by Alan Taylor. Yet I don't entirely buy into the personal story.Immeditaley, following the War for Independence and the Constitution, the U.S. was a very unstable place both politically and econmically. The way Taylor combines a biography, regional/national history, and a literary criticism of one of America's premier authors is stunning.